Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

Bought the car a little over two weeks ago without a working xenon on the drivers side. Replaced the bulb (old one looked burned) but still didn't work. The following weekend the bulb was taken out again to look for loose connections. Still nothing. The car then sat for two days until I drove it today and the drivers side came on, and brighter worked too. It did look to be more of a yellow light than a xenon blue light though but still bright. The replacement bulb was identical to the original. Where am I going wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Does ur passenger light work fine? If so swap the bulbs and see what happens. Im no xenon expert but i did this when i had my old 330i and the passengers side was brighter and off color with both bulbs. A week later it just stopped working so i took it out and found out that water had got inside the balast and ruined it.

Does ur passenger light work fine? If so swap the bulbs and see what happens. Im no xenon expert but i did this when i had my old 330i and the passengers side was brighter and off color with both bulbs. A week later it just stopped working so i took it out and found out that water had got inside the balast and ruined it.

Hello Toofpik, I believe my Xenon headlights have the same issue as your situation. Here is my car symthom, only passenger side doesn't work. So I replaced to brand new bulb and still it doesn't work. Is this mean the balast is shot?

If its not the bulb its either the ballast or igniter, if its the igniter you have to take your lights apart to replace them. I believe for the ballast you don't need to but don't quote me on that! Switch those around and that will answer your questions!